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Friday, October 18, 2013

It's Better To Carry A Tune Than A Grudge*

It's a chilly, rainy night in the Ozarks. Unseasonably chilly. So unseasonably chilly that I broke down and put the electric mattress pad on the bed this evening, because I like to froze last night. That will lead me to my Ten Things of Thankful rather nicely, won't it? 1. Electric mattress pads. I turn it on before I brush my teeth and wash my face and see to the rest of my evening toilette, and then I have a toasty warm place to put my tootsies when I climb into bed.2. Electric mattress pads with dual controls, because my husband HATES having the mattress pad turned on on his side, although when he has cold feet, he sticks them on my side of the bed (and I kick them right back to his side).3. Ever heard of a three dog night? Thursday night was a two cat night, thanks to the inviting fuzzy blanket I added on top of the covers. It worked; I was warm, but I also couldn't move all night.

The sliver that remains of what was once my side of the bed.

4. I had help making the bed today when I put on the electric mattress pad. How do people who don't own cats put sheets on their beds? Who helps them?

5. This week was "F" week in pre-k. We talked about words that started with "F" during circle time. You know, fossils. Feet. Finger. Firetruck. We were walking down the hall to music class when one of the boys said, "Miss Dyanne, 'fart' starts with 'F'!" It proves he's listening and learning, but I must say, I am a little worried about "P" week....6. It was also Fire Safety week at preschool. We had a visit from the fire department, which was really cool. The crew who came on the day I teach the primary class was the same crew that came last year and dressed me up in their firefighting gear. Wouldn't you know that they remembered me and asked if I would do it again this year? I was much more prepared for it this year and didn't think I was going to die while trying to breathe with the face mask on, although I might have did drool a little bit, maybe.

If Firefighter Justice weren't so cute,I don't think I could be talked into this....

7. We had planned to attend the last home football game tonight, so with the rain pounding down outside tonight, I am reminded that I am so thankful my daughter plays an indoor sport, because those football player families are huddled under umbrellas and rain ponchos and are, I'm sure, quite miserable right about now.8. I decorated the house for fall, and it makes me happy.

9. Thursday night was Pink Out night at the home volleyball game. The freshman team surprised me by each presenting me with a pink carnation with a note attached telling how I had been an inspiration. It was very touching.

10. And sweet Lizzi made good on her word that she was going to run a 5k and raise money for cancer research! She reached her fundraising goal (and then some) and ran the race in a respectable 32 minutes and 15 seconds.*The title has nothing to do with the post, as you have probably noticed by now. It was just a line from an episode of Modern Family that was airing while I was writing this, and I thought it was worth noting. And yes, Cam is the one who said it. Who else? This is a link up. Write your ten things and link them up. Hear me?

well, that's because our Mz Dyanne had the good sense not to invite me to address the class by video hookup....wait a minute! that started as a joke but!! hey! Dyanne, surely you have a computer in the classroom! and you have used the google hangout... what a classroom event (I'll volunteer to video from the fishing port of Pt Judith)

...just a thought... yes, I really need to get my own Comment thread...sorry Michelle lol

I totally still have to catch up on this week's Modern Family, but Cam always makes me laugh. So that line just did make me chuckle! But seriously, I always love hearing about your week with the pre-school kids, because my kids are around the same age and I could so see Lily telling you that fart starts with "F", because she is fascinated by farts and burps now, too! Looks like a great week and again so huge that Lizzi ran in your honor. Just love her and so proud of her fro doing that for you!! Happy Weekend now!! :)

It was a re-run, and I was only half listening, but that line jumped out at me.

I'm sure you can appreciate the funny things preschoolers say! They crack me up. The little boy who said that fart starts with f was completely sincere and had no idea what he said may not have been entirely appropriate for school. And I can't fault him for not working on beginning sounds!

Or my 3 y/o Niece. Who I remember very clearly sat in the back seat of the car when the following exchange happened (probably told you this one already but it still makes me giggle so I'm telling again)

#3 is so true, isn't it? Kitties keep you warm, but they hog up the whole bed. I have a fuzzy blanket that our cats just love, so when that's on the bed we are all nice and warm, but like you said, we can not move.

#9 - that is awesome.

Got my post written two days ago and pre-scheduled it to go up early this morning. Now that I'M finally up, I have to go link up.

If I wasn't married to a human heater, I would be all over that heated mattress pad. As it is, As it is, if I am cold, I just need to move closer to my husband.Oh, the outdoor sports. On gorgeous, sunny, warm days, I am grateful that my kids chose soccer. When it is pouring down rain, cold, or snowing, I curse the day we ever heard of the sport. We have entered the cursing stage of the season.I am always confused by people who decorate for each season. My thought on decorating is, "But it's so much WORK!" I'll pull it out for Christmas, but that's it. Someday, when the kids are all in school, perhaps I'll change my mind.That was so sweet of your daughter's team to do that for you. It is a huge blessing to have a child on a team with people you can actually call friends.

I AM married to a human heater, but I like the bed warm when I get in. So unless he wallows around on my side for about half an hour, then moves over immediately before I get in, then I'm sticking with the heated mattress pad. And a couple of cats.

Yeah, I'll be thinking about you out in the cold and wet when I'm sitting inside a (sometimes stinky) gym!

I don't go all out for any of the seasons, but I like the look of fall leaves and pumpkins around the house in the fall. After Christmas, I just change the silk flowers that I have here and there; tulips in the spring, daisies and sunflowers in the summer.

Our freshman team has been terrific! Great girls, little to no drama (can you believe it? 10 girls?) and the parents are all extremely nice (especially the one I sometimes get to contribute a TToT post to the blog - cough cough Dawn cough cough). Most of the girls are going to play on the same club ball team this winter and keep their volleyball chops up.

How is it I live in Canada and have never heard of electric mattress pads? I feel a google search coming on. Our bedroom has two outside walls and so tends to get a bit colder in the winter and a bit hotter in the summer than the rest of our place...

As for football - I hear you. I just started following this year and our homecoming game was rainy. We left at halftime because we were soaking wet and cold. The hard core football fans pretty much all came dressed like the fisherman from "I Know What you Did Last Summer". I will apparently have to go shopping before next year's season starts.

I knew about Lizzi's running in your honour already - though am no less moved and encouraged by it - but another wow for the flowers and note at the game from the students. So thoughtful.

An electric mattress pad? Hmmm..never heard of one. Living in Florida deprives me of so many of life's interesting little inventions! I don't know how in the world you could stand to be in that firefighter gear! I am so claustrophobic and I know it is super heavy. Good for you for taking one for the team! You have got to be an amazing teacher!Personally, I think you may have gotten off lucky with "fart". That could have been so much worse! Thank you for the wonderful post and this wonderful hop! I truly love it and the engagement of everyone involved is phenomenal!Enjoy the rest of your weekend and stay warm!

That firefighter gear weighed a ton. And I really did think I was going to die in there when I put it on last year. It was only because I had that experience was I able to put it on this time.Fart wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Which is one of many reasons why Clark is not allowed to video chat with my class.Thank you so much for your kind words, Sandy! I'm glad you like our hop. We have so much fun with it, especially with all of our cross-comments (it's something you don't see on other hops).

The carnations and note are such a sweet gesture, and Lizzi rules anyways; you are certainly an inspiration to many, Dyanne! Love F-week.. at least, the kid did not drop the F-bomb. Love your fall decoration! Unfortunately, my house is way too messy for much decoration right now; major purging is in oder!

Your house looks great! I love decorating for the season too. Great week you had. The firefighter outfit looks great on you :) When I started reading about the "f" word week I have to admit, I was a little bit nervous about what you were going to say ;)

None of my kids played football, but some were in marching band. My husband and I spent many Friday nights huddled in the cold, waiting for halftime! Fortunately, as far as I remember, it never rained (one advantage of the desert); we just had chilling wind.

I really liked your title. I was like "I wonder where she got that from" and the wait did not disappoint me. I haven't watched but one or two episodes of Modern Family (which I find hilarious, but haven't ever kept up on), but it was a good choice I think. It fits within the context of the hop (even if not the post).

I love those cats, but especially the demon under"cover" one! Crooks helps me make the bed all the time. I feel bad for those who don't have such enthusiastic assistants. More pictures of your cute helpers are always welcomed!

Nice decorations. Never been one to decorate per season, but that is probably due to a deep-rooted lazy factor. I love Autumn, however, and have an odd obsession with leaves. Tried to get the gf to take a weekend get-away up north to take pictures of the changing leaves, but my plans kept getting foiled. Depressing really. Random Jak Fact: I have leaves (2-4 at least) randomly placed up in my cupboards.*

Xmas is one I've always enjoyed decorating. But taking down a tree sucks sometimes, and gets pushed out for as long as possible heh. I wonder how many leave them up all year round?

Never used a heating blanket/pad. I'm one of those human heaters! Sounds like you get pretty mean with your side of the bed, though... *jots notes*

It's awesome you dressed up again for your class :) I bet they loved that. You are such a good sport. Drool and all!

#9 is the sweetest. Honestly, I've never heard many stories like this and here we have this supposed "Nice" factor and all... Only associated with Football for a year/half (joined for the exercise... weird I know...) and had my fair share of games in the rain. At least I was watching from the sidelines... who the hell would put me in a game? Cripes...

Kudos to the run and raising money! I miss so much when I'm moping away outside of the Blogophere...

But seriously, when is she going to run a 5k to raise money to go cut Christine's yard? Amiright?! It's like a freakin' jungle out there... Thank god the cold is coming to kill it all off for now!

Could that title be more random? I think not. Our Fox affiliate is showing Modern Family reruns now. I've missed a lot of episodes, so it will be fun to catch up on the show.

My daughter is lobbying hard for a kitten to add to our feline family. I always said if I found a real calico kitten that I was keeping it, and darn the luck, a friend's cat had kittens and one is a calico....

Decorating for seasons may not be, as Clark might say, for the Y chromosome types. Except for Christmas. And I love putting up the Christmas decorations, but I hate, hate, HAAAATE taking them down, because no one will help me (they are all sad that Christmas is over and don't want the decorations to be put away). Are the leaves in your cupboards REAL leaves?

I get very mean with my side of the bed, but the other side is fair game (I live by the toddler rule "what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine, too").

I didn't mind dressing up since Firefighter Justice was totes adorbs.

#9 was awesome.

Yes, see what happens when you sit around, feeling sorry for yourself? Besides the fact that we all miss you when you do that. And our song isn't the same when it's just "little ditty about ...Dyanne".

See what you can get Lizzi to do about the bush hogging fundraiser for Christine.

I didn't know that had invented dual control electric mattress pads - that's awesome (and I'm I'm sure it's saved many a marriage too :) I love how you've decorated your home for Autumn - you have a real artistic touch! Number five made me laugh out loud - kids can be so funny. That's something my son would say ... except he's nine, not five, and should know better! So glad to see you are well and happy after reading Lizzi's 'obituary' for you earlier this week. Even though we'd only just met each other online, I was still shaking while I was reading it with my mouth dropped open in disbelief until I found out, with relief, that you were okay. Hope you have a fantastic week. Sending you a massive hug - Lizzy. xx

You are kind to say I have an artistic touch. I just stick stuff around and hope for the best.

As pre-k kids, they really don't have a clue that some of the words they come up with may or may not be good choices. What's really fun is during "Y" week when we make a list of things that are yucky and things that are yummy. I'm sure you can imagine what shows up on a 4 year old's yucky list!

I'm sorry Lizzi's obituary scared you! She wanted to make an impact on people. and I believe she did. It was very difficult to write the answers to her interview questions. I cried when I did it. But I am alive and well, taking all my meds and getting all my treatments and visiting my oncologist every month and everything looks good. Huge hugs right back to you.

Ok, so I have to admit that I was reading your post earlier this weekend and instead of replying then, I immediately hopped over to Amazon.com in a search for heated mattress pads! Genius! Our house is very old and drafty..our bedrooms are upstairs which is colder than any other area of the house--the poor heater just has to work too hard to get up there. So I usually end up using 1,000 blankets to stay warm--- I am SO loving the idea of a heated mattress pad.

Also, the pictures of the kitties... our kitties both gone now, those pictures gave me good memories of changing the sheets. Our one cat, Jackson, would allow himself to be buried under the fitted sheet, the sheet, the blanket and the bedspread. All that would remain would be a lump in the middle of the bed...until finally he would decide to find himself a way out. He would also have a hey-day attacking the sheets when I'd fluff them ...it was hilarious! Thanks for the memories!

My mom is a para at a preschool...she also has so many stories to tell! Gotta love that age! ;)

I have an old, drafty house, too, and this way, the furnace can be turned down at night and we all stay warm and toasty. Until morning, when I have to get out of bed and put my warm feet down on the cold hardwood floor!

Both of my cats like to help make the bed, but not both at the same time. And they'll both let me make the whole bed right over the top of them, but neither of them have ever been accused of being very bright, especially Pete.

Preschoolers are certainly loose cannons. Wish I could record everything they say!